Christmas Tree Disposal – New 2016 Guidelines

The City of Durham Solid Waste Management Department is announcing new procedures as well as a collection timeframe to request free curbside collection of live Christmas trees.

Non-Yard Waste Customers Non-Yard Waste customers must contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 to have a “Christmas Tree Collection” service request created between Tuesday, January 3 and the end of business on Thursday, February 2, 2017. Once a service request is made, the tree will be added to a Saturday collection route which will occur on January 14, January 28, and February 4.

Yard Waste Customers Yard Waste customers may place their trees on their curbs between January 3 and February 2 to be collected as part of their regular service. Trees will be noted by their weekly yard waste collection crew and the location automatically added for a Saturday collection on one of the dates noted above. A Christmas tree collection will not count as a one of their free brush collections if it is set out during this timeframe.

Waste Disposal and Recycling Center Drop-Off In addition to free curbside collections, the City’s Waste Disposal and Recycling Center will accept live Christmas trees at no charge from January 3 through February 4. Trees delivered after February 4 will be subject to the usual disposal fees.

Tree Disposal Requirements for Curbside or Drop-off Service

Trees taller than six feet should be cut in half.

All decorations and hardware (including tinsel, lights, garland, ornaments, nails, and stands) must be removed.

Trees must not be placed in bags.

According to Solid Waste Management Director Donald Long, the new collection procedures will help to streamline this free service. “In previous years, the department spent considerable time and resources canvassing the entire city looking for trees on curbs,” Long said. “By asking our non-yard waste customers to schedule tree collections, we can more efficiently collect those trees which saves staff time and fuel in our trucks.” For questions or more information, contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 or visit the City’s Solid Waste Management Department Web page.